h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My wrist has been getting worse again since I got healthy enough to go back to work. Went in for therapy today. They put me in a new brace, which COMPLETELY (versus partially) immobilizes my wrist and thumb, and makes it impossible to write, difficult to type or drive. I’m to wear it 24/7 for the next four weeks. If that doesn’t work, even the therapist concedes that my only other option is surgery.

So, if my replies are slow, bear with me. Typing is not my strong suit right now.

Ranger !!

That's terrible, I'm so sorry!! Hopefully the new brace will help out and they wont have to resort to surgery.

I will light a candle for you!

Hi sweetie,

So sorry about your wrist hun. Hopefully the new brace will help sort it!

and
Will

Thanks, mate! Must admit I'm in a bit of a funk at the moment.

This brace is gonna drive me

Besides covering more territory, it's hard and stiff (instead of semi-flexible) and is rapidly getting uncomfortable.

24/7 for 4 weeks!

hi

i was just reading about your wrist I had the same condition 18 months ago I had the operation for it in august 2002 it was 90% successful

how is you wrist and how often do you go to the therapist i had to go twice a week myself

hope everything goes well for you hun !!

Anya

Hello Anya!

The assigned me therapy twice a week for 3 weeks, so I've got four sessions left to go. I'll have to wear this miserable brace until the first part of January


I'm glad to hear from someone who's had the same problem, and good success with the surgery! Was it terribly painful? And how long was your recovery time?

I appreciate you dropping me a note!

well when I had the operation it took about 30 minutes to perform and the recovery period was about 7 weeks before I was aloud to go back to work.

have they told you much about your operation and when it will be ?? I was awake for mine personally hun

they did quite a good job my scar is only about a quater of an inch long and is now fading

hope everything goes well

Chat to you soon

Anya

They haven't set a date for surgery, therapy's the last ditch effort to avoid it. The told me a bit about it, and that I'd be awake for the procedure. Which, quite frankly, scares the out of me!

I've already had that wrist cut once before (different problem) and I can't say I'm in a hurry for them to do it again!

Thanks for the info and good wishes, Anya!

Hmm, sounds "interesting"

As in "May you live in interesting times."

It sort of reminds me of when I sliced my thumb open to the bone many moons ago: the doctor who first examined it thought I was squeamishly looking away; in fact I'd done all the looking I cared to when it happened and the poster by my shoulder was a lot more interesting.

Hopefully the therapy will work out, but if not, chin up: anaesthesia is VERY good these days. (Saw "Master and Commmander" last week: one arm amputation and one removal of bullet from surgeon's own stomach )

I do, indeed, live in "interesting times", AD... I could do with a little boredom!

Tedium is greatly underrated

Here's hoping....

Well, the injured arm is now in a sling. I got a lecture today that I'm still using it too much, & that's why the inflammation isn't going down. So i have to wear this thing until the swelling goes away.

Aww puppet !!

Did they say how long it would take for the swelling to ease??

Her best guess is a couple weeks.

Sh*t!!

How much does the sling restrict you from day-to-day stuff??

A lot. Example, I've been typing with both hands... awkward, but workable. Now I can only type w/left.

Bringing groceries inside... can only carry small load, have to put it down to open the door to get into house. Hold door open with foot, while picking sacks back up, and trying not to be bowled over ny the dogs.

Cutting food is basically impossible, just from the brace. Can't use a knife w/o your thumb.


You get the idea...

Crikey, that don't sound like fun at all...does it still hurt as much??

Wrist is the same, tendonitis in elbow is getting worse. That was another reason the therapist insisted on the sling. It'll keep me from tearing up my elbow worse compensating for the wrist.

I'm just worried my left hand is gonna develop probs from overuse!

I had that problem when I dsilocated my knee...I was relying on the good one so much while I was on the crutches, and then through my "limping stage", that after a while I ended up with problems in both knees......